Arrangement in overhead conveyor

Abstract

An arrangement in an overhead conveyor, which has a chain part, a guide part, and load carriers connected or convertible to the chain part. The chain part is formed of a plurality of rotationally symmetrical driver bodies arranged in a row, and flexible connecting means interconnecting the driver bodies. The guide part is formed of a substantially U-shaped section opening upwards, with a groove in which the chain part is adapted to travel and be guided by inwardly directed sliding surfaces formed of slide elements. Slide elements are also arranged on the tops of the U section legs, and the load carrier rests with an arm against one of said tops. A second arm of the load carrier extends outside the leg of the U section for connecting a load. The load carrier engages the driver body in such a manner as to on the one hand rotatably support the driver body or the connecting means in positions adjacent to the driver body about the rotational symmetry axis thereof extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide part and, on the other hand, lock the driver body against movement in the transverse direction of the guide part.

We claim: 
     
       1. An arrangement in an overhead conveyor having a chain part (1), a guide part (2), and load carriers (9) connected or convertible to the chain part, which is formed of a plurality of rotationally symmetrical driver bodies (3A) arranged in a row, and flexible connecting means (4) interconnecting said driver bodies, said guide part being formed of a substantially U-shaped section which opens upwards, through the groove (2') of which the chain part is adapted to travel and be guided by inwardly directed sliding surfaces (5', 6') formed of slide elements (5, 6), slide elements (6) being arranged also on the tops or the legs (7a, 7b) of the U section, the load carrier resting with an arm (11) against one of said tops, a second arm (13) of the load carrier extending along the leg (7b) of the U section for connecting a load, characterised in that the load carrier (9) engages the driver body in such a manner as to   on the one hand rotatably support one of the driver body and the connecting means (4) in positions adjacent to the driver body (3A) about the rotational symmetry axis thereof which extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide part (2)   on the other hand lock the driver body against movement in the transverse direction of the guide part (2).   
     
     
       2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said one arm (11) supports at least one roll (14) for engaging the slide element (6) on the top or the U section leg. 
     
     
       3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said second arm (13) supports a roll (20) for engaging the outside of the U section leg. 
     
     
       4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said second arm (13) is made in two pieces, the pieces being engageable in each other by snap action. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a third arm (12) of the load carrier, which engages between the U section legs (7a, 7b), has at least one hook (12') constituting a pivot bearing for the driver body, e.g. for a pin (10) arranged on the driver body (3A), said pin extending along the rotational symmetry axis of the driver body. 
     
     
       6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the opening (12'") of the hook is dimensioned to allow fixing and removal of the load carrier to/from the chain part outside the guide part. 
     
     
       7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said one arm (11) supports at least one roll (14) for engaging the slide element (6) on the top of the U section leg. 
     
     
       8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said second arm (13) supports a roll (20) for engaging the outside of the U section leg. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said second arm (13) is made in two pieces, the pieces being engageable in each other by snap action. 
     
     
       10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the third arm (12) has two hooks for a respective one of opposite pins. 
     
     
       11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the driver body (3A), the pin (10) and the hook (12') together define a part-spherical surface. 
     
     
       12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the opening (12'") of the hook is dimensioned to allow fixing and removal of the load carrier to/from the chain part outside the guide part. 
     
     
       13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said one arm (11) supports at least one roll (14) for engaging the slide element (6) on the top of the U section leg. 
     
     
       14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said second arm (13) supports a roll (20) for engaging the outside of the U section leg. 
     
     
       15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said second arm (13) is made in two pieces, the pieces being engageable in each other by snap action. 
     
     
       16. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the driver body (3A), the pin (10) and the hook (12') together define a part-spherical surface. 
     
     
       17. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the opening (12'") of the hook is dimensioned to allow fixing and removal of the load carrier to/from the chain part outside the guide part. 
     
     
       18. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said one arm (11) supports at least one roll (14) for engaging the slide element (6) on the top of the U section leg. 
     
     
       19. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said second arm (13) supports a roll (20) for engaging the outside of the U section leg. 
     
     
       20. An arrangement as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said second arm (13) is made in two pieces, the pieces being engageable in each other by snap action.